Lynda Loveland: 15 seconds to a better father

I heard an ad on the radio the other day suggesting ways to be a better dad.

In 15 seconds, the announcer mentioned things like go fishing, biking, take a walk and play catch. You get the idea. Simple things a dad could do to be a better father.

My first thought was that those are great ideas for ME. I feel like I do a heck of a lot for my kids already. I carpool to soccer. I volunteer at school. I make homemade meals every night. (Not a nugget in sight.) I show them lots of affection and so forth and so forth.

I'm there for them if they need me, when I'm not running around like a chicken with its head cut off. (Grew up on a farm. It's totally true.)

BUT, none of that really qualifies as ... fun or memorable! I have all the logistics figured out. My schedule is FULL of logistics. What it's not full of is quality time.

Sure, it comes in spurts. We all went to the fair the other day. We had a great time. But I feel like those times don't come around very often.

As a parent, we all know we have to live in the moment because they grow up too fast. Sometimes we just need reminders...